Manchester United FC defeated Arsenal FC 1-0 in the first leg of the all-English UEFA Champions League semifinals, getting an 18th-minute goal from defender John O'Shea. The teams meet again Tuesday at Emirates Stadium in London. The winner advances to the May 27 final in Rome against Barcelona or Chelsea, who tied 0-0 Tuesday in Spain.
Betting lines at online sportsbook Bodog at Bodoglife.com list Tuesday's match between Manchester United and Arsenal a PICK with a 2 1/2 total. Arsenal is a slight favorite on the Bodog moneyline at +140 while Manchester United backers are getting +180 moneyline odds.
Manchester United FC midfielder Darren Fletcher said everything went according to plan for the UEFA Champions League title holders after they put together a 1-0 win against Arsenal on Wednesday night.
"The game plan seemed to work," added Fletcher, one of Manchester United's star performers. "Arsenal are a great passing side and if you stand off them, they will pass anyone to death, so it was important that we got at them, got in their faces and played at a tempo similar to what we did in the FA Cup here last season, before then breaking and creating chances like we did."
Arsenal FC are facing a mounting injury crisis ahead of their semi-final second leg against Manchester United FC with left-back Gaël Clichy certainly ruled out and several others doubtful for Tuesday's decider.
